Container assembly with promotional panels and associated methods for making the same

ABSTRACT

A container assembly includes a foldable container that includes a ventilated bottom panel, a pair of spaced apart ventilated side panels rotatably coupled to the ventilated bottom panel, and a pair of spaced apart ventilated end panels rotatably coupled to the ventilated bottom panel. The foldable container is configurable between a collapsed configuration and an open configuration. A pair of solid side panels is removably coupled to the pair of spaced apart ventilated side panels when the foldable container is in the open configuration, and a pair of solid end panels is removably coupled to the pair of spaced apart ventilated end panels when the foldable container is in the open configuration. Promotional indicia is on exterior surfaces of the solid side panels and the solid end panels.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/218,120 filed Sep. 14, 2015, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of containers, and moreparticularly, to promotional panels for a reusable plastic container(RPC).

BACKGROUND

Packaging is a critical component in the produce supply chain. Producelooks very fresh and undamaged when first harvested. However,conventional corrugated packaging does not always deliver the produce inthe same condition as initially harvested. The corrugated packaging,i.e., boxes, tends to collapse when stacked one on top of another, thusdamaging the produce. Extensively damaged produce is typicallydiscarded, resulting in lost sells. Slightly damaged produce on displaycauses customers to be disappointed.

An alternative to shipping produce in corrugated packaging is reusableplastic containers (RPCs). Reusable plastic containers allow forminimized damage to the produce since the plastic containers will notcollapse when stacked. Many times the reusable plastic containers usedby the farmers to ship their produce through the supply chain end upbeing used by the grocery stores to display the produce to customers.This results in reduced handling of the produce as well as increasedefficiency.

While the reusable plastic containers are functional and effective,there is a need to better promote the items contained therein throughmerchandising and display to consumers in grocery and food serviceapplications.

One approach is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,210,358 which provides adisplay system having one or more collapsible crates and creativepanels. The creative panels cover the crates to provide a clean visualeffect for the display. At least one creative panel fits into theinterior of the crate and folds around the outside of the first andsecond sidewalls of the crate, and at least one creative panel fits overthe outside of the crate. The creative panels are attached through theuse of bosses or clips made out of plastic or other durable material.The creative panels may include advertisements, decorations, drawings,and other information about the items, products, goods, or informationbeing displayed. Even in view of the creative panels, there is still aneed to provide other types of promotional panels to collapsible crates.

SUMMARY

A container assembly includes a foldable container comprising aventilated bottom panel, a pair of spaced apart ventilated side panelsrotatably coupled to the ventilated bottom panel, and a pair of spacedapart ventilated end panels rotatably coupled to the ventilated bottompanel. The foldable container may be configurable between a collapsedconfiguration when the pairs of spaced apart ventilated side panels andventilated end panels are folded toward the ventilated bottom panel, andan open configuration when the pairs of spaced apart ventilated sidepanels and ventilated end panels are folded away from the ventilatedbottom panel so that adjacent edges thereof engage one another so as tolock together.

A pair of solid side panels may be removably coupled to the pair ofspaced apart ventilated side panels when the foldable container is inthe open configuration. Each solid side panel may comprise a top lipextending across an upper edge of a respective ventilated side panel, atleast one top clip carried by the top lip and extending downwardlytherefrom so as to be secured to the respective ventilated side panel,and at least one medial clip to slidably engage at least one medialventilated opening in the respective ventilated side panel.

A pair of solid end panels may be removably coupled to the pair ofspaced apart ventilated end panels when the foldable container is in theopen configuration. Each solid end panel may comprise a top lipextending across an upper edge of a respective ventilated end panel, atleast one top clip carried by the top lip and extending downwardlytherefrom so as to be secured to the respective ventilated end panel,and at least one medial clip to slidably engage at least one medialventilated opening in the respective ventilated end panel.

The solid side and end panels aesthetically make the foldable containermore appealing to a consumer. The container assembly may furthercomprise promotional indicia on an exterior surface of at least one ofthe solid side and end panels. The promotional indicia may includeadvertisements, decorations, logos, drawings, and other information tobetter promote the items being displayed within the foldable container.

Each solid side panel and each solid end panel may comprise plastic. Theat least one medial clip for the respective ventilated side panel may beL-shaped, and the at least one medial clip for the respective ventilatedend panel may be L-shaped.

The at least one medial clip for the respective ventilated side panelmay comprise a plurality of medial clips. The at least one medial clipfor the respective ventilated end panel may comprise a plurality ofmedial clips. The at least one top clip for the respective ventilatedside panel may comprise a plurality of top clips. The at least one topclip for the respective ventilated end panel may comprises a single topclip.

Corners of the top lip for each solid side panel and for each solid endpanel may have cutouts so as to not interfere with one another whencoupled to respective ventilated side panels and respective ventilatedend panels.

Another aspect is directed to a promotional kit for a foldable containeras described above. The promotional kit may comprise a pair of solidside panels to be removably coupled to the pair of spaced apartventilated side panels, and a pair of solid end panels to be removablycoupled to the pair of spaced apart ventilated end panels when thefoldable container is in the open configuration. Each solid side paneland each solid end panel may comprise a top lip, at least one top clipcarried by the top lip and extending downwardly therefrom, and at leastone medial clip.

Yet another aspect is directed to a method for making a containerassembly comprising providing a foldable container as described above,providing a pair of solid side panels to be removably coupled to thepair of spaced apart ventilated side panels and a pair of solid endpanels to be removably coupled to the pair of spaced apart ventilatedend panels when the foldable container is in the open configuration.Each solid side panel and each solid end panel may comprise a top lip,at least one top clip carried by the top lip and extending downwardlytherefrom, and at least one medial clip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable container in a fully openposition in accordance with the disclosure.

FIGS. 2-5 are perspective views of the foldable container illustrated inFIG. 1 showing different side and end panels collapsed.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a container assembly with the foldablecontainer illustrated in FIG. 1 and solid side panels and solid endpanels coupled thereto.

FIGS. 7-9 are outer, inner and side views of one of the solid sidepanels illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIGS. 10-12 are outer, inner and side views of one of the solid endpanels illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 13 is a back view of a promotional panel with pegs used to attachto one of the ventilated side or end panels illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the promotional panel illustrated inFIG. 13 attached to a ventilated end panel.

FIG. 15 is a back view of a promotional panel with an adhesive coatingused to attach to one of the ventilated side or end panels illustratedin FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the promotional panel illustrated inFIG. 15 attached to a ventilated end panel.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a promotional panel attached to theinside corners and/or inside edges of the ventilated side and end panelsillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 18 is a partial side perspective view of a promotional panel with aclip along an upper edge thereof to attach to one of the ventilated sideor end panels illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the promotional panel illustrated inFIG. 18 attached to a ventilated end panel.

FIG. 20 is a back view of a promotional panel having a magnetic materialcarried thereby to attach to one of the ventilated side or end panelsillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the promotional panel illustrated inFIG. 20 attached to a ventilated end panel.

FIG. 22 is a front view of a ventilated side panel with clips used tohold a promotional panel.

FIG. 23 is a back view of a promotional panel with Velcro® used toattach to one of the ventilated side or end panels illustrated in FIG.1.

FIG. 24 is a front view of a ventilated end panel illustrated in FIG. 1with Velcro® used to receive the promotional panel illustrated in FIG.23.

FIG. 25 is a front view of the promotional panel illustrated in FIG. 23attached to the ventilated end panel illustrated in FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a front view of a promotional panel spaced away from acorresponding ventilated end panel illustrated in FIG. 1, with the panelhaving a heat transfer material associated therewith.

FIG. 27 is a front view of the promotional panel illustrated in FIG. 26attach to the ventilated end panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodimentsof the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different foxes and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, a foldable container 20 that is intended toreceive a promotional kit in the form of one or more promotional panelsor plates will initially be discussed. The foldable container 20 is alsoknown as a reusable plastic container (RPC). When the foldable container20 is used to carry fresh produce or food, for example, the promotionalpanels aesthetically make the foldable container 20 more appealing to aconsumer. In addition, the promotional panels may includeadvertisements, decorations, logos, drawings, and other informationabout the fresh produce being displayed.

The foldable container 20 is more generally used in grocery and foodservice applications. Even though the foldable container 20 mayprimarily be used with fresh produce, they are also used with meat,eggs, cheese, seafood, and various deli items, for example. Nonetheless,the foldable container 20 may be used for other type applications notrelated to grocery and food service applications.

Each foldable container 20 includes a ventilated bottom panel 30, a pairof spaced apart ventilated side panels 26, 28 rotatably coupled to theventilated bottom panel, and a pair of spaced apart ventilated endpanels 22, 24 rotatably coupled to the ventilated bottom panel.

The foldable container 20 is configurable between a collapsedconfiguration and an open configuration. In the collapsed configurationthe pairs of spaced apart ventilated side panels 26, 28 and ventilatedend panels 22, 24 are folded toward the ventilated bottom panel 30. Inthe open configuration the pairs of spaced apart ventilated side panels26, 28 and ventilated end panels 22, 24 are folded away from theventilated bottom panel 30 so that adjacent edges thereof engage oneanother so as to lock together.

The ventilated side panels 26, 28 and the ventilated end panels 22, 24may be configured to include crisscross ribbing so as to provideopenings or gaps extending therethrough while still providing strength.Alternatively, the ventilated side panels 26, 28 and the ventilated endpanels 22, 24 may be solid without the crisscross ribbing yet stillinclude openings or gaps. The openings or gaps provide air holes for thefresh produce or for other type items to be carried by the foldablecontainer 20. The ventilated side panels 26, 28 and the ventilated endpanels 22, 24 may further include respective openings 27, 29 forminghandles for gripping the foldable container 20.

Each ventilated side panel 26, 28 and each ventilated end panel 22, 24may be individually folded or collapsed toward the ventilated bottompanel 30. For example, ventilated end panel 22 may be collapsed towardthe ventilated bottom panel 30 while the other panels are upright, asillustrated in FIG. 2. The other ventilated end panel 24 may becollapsed toward the ventilated bottom panel 30 while the ventilatedside panels 26, 28 are upright, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The ventilatedend panels 22, 24 and one of the ventilated side panels 28 may all becollapsed toward the ventilated bottom panel 30 while the remainingventilated side panel 26 is upright, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Finally,all of the panels 22, 24, 26, 28 are collapsed toward the bottom panel30, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

The foldable container 20 is not limited to any particular size.Depending on the type of fresh produce or the type of items beingshipped, there are typically a number of different sized foldablecontainers 20 to select from.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a container assembly 120 includes a foldablecontainer 20, as discussed above, and one or more promotional panelsremovably coupled to the foldable container when in the openconfiguration. In this embodiment, the promotional panels are configuredas solid panels. Solid side panels 126, 128 are removably coupled to theventilated side panels 26, 28 and solid end panels 122, 124 areremovably coupled to the ventilated end panels 22, 24.

The solid side panels 126, 128 are identical to one another and will bediscussed in reference to FIGS. 7-9. Solid side panel 126, for example,includes a top lip 130 extending across an upper edge of a respectiveventilated side panel 26. The top lip 130 is continuous as it extendsacross the upper edge of the respective ventilated side panel 26. Atleast one top clip 132 is carried by the top lip 130 and extendsdownwardly therefrom so as to be secured to the respective ventilatedside panel 26. In the illustrated embodiment, there are 4 spaced aparttop clips 132. At least one medial clip 134 is to slidably engage atleast one medial ventilated opening in the respective ventilated sidepanel 26. In the illustrated embodiment, there are 2 spaced apart medialclips 134. The actual number of top clips 132 and medial clips 134 willvary depending on the size and configuration of the foldable container20, as readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The solid end panels 122, 124 are identical to one another and will bediscussed in reference to FIGS. 10-12. Solid end panel 122, for example,includes a top lip 140 extending across an upper edge of a respectiveventilated end panel 22. The top lip 140 is continuous as it extendsacross the upper edge of the respective ventilated side panel 22. Atleast one top clip 142 is carried by the top lip 140 and extendsdownwardly therefrom so as to be secured to the respective ventilatedend panel 22. In the illustrated embodiment, there is 1 top clip 142that extends across a central portion of the solid end panel 122. Atleast one medial clip 144 is to slidably engage at least one medialventilated opening in the respective ventilated side panel 22. In theillustrated embodiment, there are 2 spaced apart medial clips 144. Theactual number of top clips 142 and medial clips 144 will vary dependingon the size and configuration of the foldable container 20, as alsoreadily appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The container assembly 20 may further include promotional indicia 135 onan exterior surface of at least one solid side panel 126, 128.Similarly, promotional indicia 145 may be included on an exteriorsurface of at least one solid end panel 122, 124.

The solid side panels 126, 128 and the solid end panels 122, 124aesthetically make the foldable container 20 more appealing to aconsumer. The promotional indicia 135, 145 may include advertisements,decorations, logos, drawings, and other information about the itemsbeing displayed within the foldable container 20.

The solid side panels 126, 128 and the solid end panels 122, 124 aremade of plastic. The medial clips 134 for the ventilated side panels126, 128 are L-shaped, and the medial clips 144 for the ventilated endpanels 122, 124 are also L-shaped. The respective clips 134, 144advantageously slide over a respective ventilated opening to securelower portions of the solid side panels 126, 128 and solid end panels122, 124 to a corresponding ventilated side panel 26, 28 and ventilatedend panel 22, 24.

Corners or edges 137 of the top lip 130 for each solid side panel 126,128 and corners or edges 147 of the top lip 140 for each solid end panel122, 124 have cutouts so as to not interfere with one another whencoupled to respective ventilated side panels 26, 28 and respectiveventilated end panels 22, 24.

Another aspect of this embodiment is directed to a method for making acontainer assembly 120 comprising providing a foldable container 20 asdescribed above, providing a pair of solid side panels 126, 128 to beremovably coupled to the pair of spaced apart ventilated side panels 26,28 and a pair of solid end panels 122, 124 to be removably coupled tothe pair of spaced apart ventilated end panels 22, 24 when the foldablecontainer is in the open configuration. Each solid side panel 126, 128and each solid end panel 122, 124 may comprise a top lip 130, 140, atleast one top clip 132, 142 carried by the top lip and extendingdownwardly therefrom, and at least one medial clip 134, 144.

Other embodiments of the promotional panels will now be discussed. Insome promotional panel embodiments, the edges of the ventilated side andend panels remain visible when the promotional panels are coupled to thefoldable container 20. In other promotional panel embodiments, the edgesof the ventilated side and end panels are covered when the promotionalpanels are coupled to the foldable container 20.

The promotional panels may be formed out of plastic, for example. In theillustrated embodiment, each promotional panel appears as a simulatedwood panel. The simulated wood panel is an example only and is not to belimiting, while other designs, patterns and configurations may used, asreadily appreciated by those skilled in the art.

In a second embodiment, the promotional panel 250 includes pegs 252 on abackside thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 13. The pegs 252 are configuredto snap into or through the air holes or openings in a ventilated sideor end panel, as illustrated in FIG. 14 for the ventilated end panel 22.

The pegs 252 may be evenly spaced apart in rows and columns on the backside of the promotional panel 250. Alternatively, the pegs 252 may berandomly spaced.

The pegs 252 may be monolithically formed with the promotional panel250. Alternatively, the pegs 252 may be formed separately from thepromotional panel 250 and attached thereto via a glue or adhesive.

The pegs 252 are not limited to any particular configuration. Each peg252 may include a tapered or angled tip, for example, with a lip forengaging an opening in the ventilated side or end panel, such as theventilated end panel 22 illustrated in FIG. 14.

In a third embodiment, the promotional panel 350 includes adhesivelayers 354 on a backside thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 15. Theadhesive layers 354 may be in sections or strips. The adhesive layers354 may be evenly spaced apart in rows on the back side of thepromotional panel 350.

Alternatively, the adhesive layers 354 may be evenly spaced apart incolumns (or columns and rows) on the back side of the promotional panel350. The promotional panel 350 is secured to a ventilated side or endpanel via the adhesive layers 354, as illustrated in FIG. 16 for theventilated end panel 22. Alternatively, the entire back side of thepromotional panel 350 may be substantially covered with an adhesivelayer 354.

In a fourth embodiment, the promotional panel 450 snaps into insidecorners and/or inside edges of each ventilated side or end panel, asillustrated in FIG. 17 for the ventilated end panel 22. Along aninterior edge of each ventilated side or end panel protrusions may beformed to receive the side edges of the promotional panel 450.Alternatively, a groove may be formed to receive the side edges of thepromotional panel 450.

In a fifth embodiment, the promotional panel 550 includes a clip 556along an upper edge thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 18, to attach to oneof the ventilated side or end panels. The clip 556 may have an extended,bent edge which is part of the promotional panel 550. The clip 556 foreach promotional panel 550 expands so as to be secured over the top ofthe ventilated side or end panels of the foldable container 20, asillustrated in FIG. 19. The edges 551 of the ventilated side and endpanels are left exposed. Alternatively, the promotional panels 550 maybe configured to also cover the exposed edges 551 of the ventilated sideand end panels.

In a sixth embodiment, the promotional panel 650 is coupled to aventilated side or end panel via magnets. In one embodiment, thepromotional panel 650 is made or formed to include a magnetic material.Alternatively, magnetic strips 658 are attached to a backside of thepromotional panel 650, as illustrated in FIG. 20. A magnetic material668 of an opposite polarity is positioned inside of the ventilated endpanel 22, for example, for holding the magnetic promotional panel 650 inplace, as illustrated in FIG. 21.

In a seventh embodiment, a promotional panel 750 is formed to includeclips 770 along a bottom or lower edge thereof, as illustrated in FIG.22. Although not shown, clips may be formed along side and top edges ofa ventilated side panel, for example. The promotional panel 750 is heldin place by the clips 770. The clips 770 may be formed as part of theventilated end panel 22, for example. Alternatively, the clips areseparately formed and attached to the ventilated end panel

In an eighth embodiment, hook and loop fasters (i.e., Velcro® ) are usedto secure a promotional panel 850 to a ventilated side or end panel 22.The promotional panel 850 may include the hook portion 880 of the hookand loop fasters, as illustrated in FIG. 23. The ventilated end panel 22may then include the corresponding loop portion 882 of the hook and loopfasters, as illustrated in FIG. 24.

The hook and loop fasteners 880, 882 may be evenly spaced apart in rowsand columns. Alternatively, the hook and loop fasteners 880, 882 may berandomly spaced. The promotional panel 850 is held in place by the hookand loop fasters 880, 882, as illustrated in FIG. 25.

In a ninth embodiment, the promotional panel 950 is formed to include aheat transfer material, as illustrated in FIG. 26. With the applicationof heat to the promotional panel 950, the panel may then be attached tothe ventilated end panel 22, as illustrated in FIG. 27.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come tothe mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachingspresented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.Therefore, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited tothe specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications andembodiments are intended to be included as readily appreciated by thoseskilled in the art.

That which is claimed:
 1. A container assembly comprising: a foldablecontainer comprising a ventilated bottom panel, a pair of spaced apartventilated side panels rotatably coupled to the ventilated bottom panel,and a pair of spaced apart ventilated end panels rotatably coupled tothe ventilated bottom panel; said foldable container configurablebetween a collapsed configuration when said pairs of spaced apartventilated side panels and ventilated end panels are folded toward theventilated bottom panel, and an open configuration when said pairs ofspaced apart ventilated side panels and ventilated end panels are foldedaway from the ventilated bottom panel so that adjacent edges thereofengage one another so as to lock together; a pair of solid side panelsremovably coupled to said pair of spaced apart ventilated side panelswhen said foldable container is in the open configuration, each solidside panel comprising a top lip extending across an upper edge of arespective ventilated side panel, at least one top clip carried by saidtop lip and extending downwardly therefrom so as to be secured to therespective ventilated side panel, and at least one medial clip toslidably engage at least one medial ventilated opening in the respectiveventilated side panel; and a pair of solid end panels removably coupledto said pair of spaced apart ventilated end panels when said foldablecontainer is in the open configuration, each solid end panel comprisinga top lip extending across an upper edge of a respective ventilated endpanel, at least one top clip carried by said top lip and extendingdownwardly therefrom so as to be secured to the respective ventilatedend panel, and at least one medial clip to slidably engage at least onemedial ventilated opening in the respective ventilated end panel.
 2. Thecontainer assembly according to claim 1 further comprising promotionalindicia on an exterior surface of at least one of said solid side andend panels.
 3. The container assembly according to claim 1 wherein eachsolid side panel and each solid end panel comprises plastic.
 4. Thecontainer assembly according to claim 1 wherein said at least one medialclip for the respective ventilated side panel is L-shaped, and whereinsaid at least one medial clip for the respective ventilated end panel isL-shaped.
 5. The container assembly according to claim 1 wherein said atleast one medial clip for the respective ventilated side panel comprisesa plurality of medial clips, and wherein said at least one medial clipfor the respective ventilated end panel comprises a plurality of medialclips.
 6. The container assembly according to claim 1 wherein said atleast one top clip for the respective ventilated side panel comprises aplurality of top clips, and wherein said at least one top clip for therespective ventilated end panel comprises a single top clip.
 7. Thecontainer assembly according to claim 1 wherein corners of said top lipfor each solid side panel and for each solid end panel have cutouts soas to not interfere with one another when coupled to respectiveventilated side panels and respective ventilated end panels.
 8. Apromotional kit for a foldable container comprising a ventilated bottompanel, a pair of spaced apart ventilated side panels rotatably coupledto the ventilated bottom panel, and a pair of spaced apart ventilatedend panels rotatably coupled to the ventilated bottom panel, thefoldable container configurable between a collapsed configuration whenthe pairs of spaced apart ventilated side panels and ventilated endpanels are folded toward the ventilated bottom panel, and an openconfiguration when the pairs of spaced apart ventilated side panels andventilated end panels are folded away from the ventilated bottom panelso that adjacent edges thereof engage one another so as to locktogether, the promotional kit comprising: a pair of solid side panels tobe removably coupled to the pair of spaced apart ventilated side panelswhen the foldable container is in the open configuration, each solidside panel comprising a top lip extending across an upper edge of arespective ventilated side panel, at least one top clip carried by saidtop lip and extending downwardly therefrom so as to be secured to therespective ventilated side panel, and at least one medial clip toslidably engage at least one medial ventilated opening in the respectiveventilated side panel; and a pair of solid end panels to be removablycoupled to the pair of spaced apart ventilated end panels when thefoldable container is in the open configuration, each solid end panelcomprising a top lip extending across an upper edge of a respectiveventilated end panel, at least one top clip carried by said top lip andextending downwardly therefrom so as to be secured to the respectiveventilated end panel, and at least one medial clip to slidably engage atleast one medial ventilated opening in the respective ventilated endpanel.
 9. The promotional kit according to claim 8 further comprisingpromotional indicia on an exterior surface of at least one of said solidside and end panels.
 10. The promotional kit according to claim 8wherein each solid side panel and each solid end panel comprisesplastic.
 11. The promotional kit according to claim 8 wherein said atleast one medial clip for the respective ventilated side panel isL-shaped, and wherein said at least one medial clip for the respectiveventilated end panel is L-shaped.
 12. The promotional kit according toclaim 8 wherein said at least one medial clip for the respectiveventilated side panel comprises a plurality of medial clips, and whereinsaid at least one medial clip for the respective ventilated end panelcomprises a plurality of medial clips.
 13. The promotional kit accordingto claim 8 wherein said at least one top clip for the respectiveventilated side panel comprises a plurality of top clips, and whereinsaid at least one top clip for the respective ventilated end panelcomprises a single top clip.
 14. The promotional kit according to claim8 wherein corners of said top lip for each solid side panel and for eachsolid end panel have cutouts so as to not interfere with one anotherwhen coupled to respective ventilated side panels and respectiveventilated end panels.
 15. A method for making a container assemblycomprising: providing a foldable container comprising a ventilatedbottom panel, a pair of spaced apart ventilated side panels rotatablycoupled to the ventilated bottom panel, and a pair of spaced apartventilated end panels rotatably coupled to the ventilated bottom panel;the foldable container configurable between a collapsed configurationwhen the pairs of spaced apart ventilated side panels and ventilated endpanels are folded toward the ventilated bottom panel, and an openconfiguration when the pairs of spaced apart ventilated side panels andventilated end panels are folded away from the ventilated bottom panelso that adjacent edges thereof engage one another so as to locktogether; providing a pair of solid side panels removably coupled to thepair of spaced apart ventilated side panels when the foldable containeris in the open configuration, each solid side panel comprising a top lipextending across an upper edge of a respective ventilated side panel, atleast one top clip carried by the top lip and extending downwardlytherefrom so as to be secured to the respective ventilated side panel,and at least one medial clip to slidably engage at least one medialventilated opening in the respective ventilated side panel; andproviding a pair of solid end panels removably coupled to the pair ofspaced apart ventilated end panels when the foldable container is in theopen configuration, each solid end panel comprising a top lip extendingacross an upper edge of a respective ventilated end panel, at least onetop clip carried by the top lip and extending downwardly therefrom so asto be secured to the respective ventilated end panel, and at least onemedial clip to slidably engage at least one medial ventilated opening inthe respective ventilated end panel.
 16. The method according to claim15 wherein an exterior surface of at least one of the solid side and endpanels comprises promotional indicia thereon.
 17. The method accordingto claim 15 wherein each solid side panel and each solid end panelcomprises plastic.
 18. The method according to claim 15 wherein the atleast one medial clip for the respective ventilated side panel isL-shaped, and wherein the at least one medial clip for the respectiveventilated end panel is L-shaped.
 19. The method according to claim 15wherein the at least one top clip for the respective ventilated sidepanel comprises a plurality of top clips, and wherein the at least onetop clip for the respective ventilated end panel comprises a single topclip.
 20. The method according to claim 15 wherein corners of the toplip for each solid side panel and for each solid end panel have cutoutsso as to not interfere with one another when coupled to respectiveventilated side panels and respective ventilated end panels.